12.10.10

Stella Artois consistently produces amusing, cinematic ads and their latest combines two of my loves: wood panels and control panels. Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola co-directed this spot in which the set is the star.

22.11.09

But I think Scandinavia is generally where most minds travel when they think of modern design — “Danish Modern” and IKEA are now mainstream concepts — and if not Scandinavia, then certainly Germany, Italy, or the America of Eames and Nelson.
...COPAN Building, São Paolo Architect: Oscar Niemeyer, 1951-57 ￼￼Faculty af Architecture, São Paolo University Architect: Joao Battista Vilanova Artigas, 1962-69 The entire building is simply an airy, naturally ventilated shelter, with few lateral facades, topped by what from the outside appears a massive concrete slab.

09.08.09

Tiny, resolute German-born cafe owner Magdalena Åström is very much aware of the fact that Konditori Valand, in Stockholm’s “Surbrunnsgatan”, is a national treasure. Her Swedish husband Stellan designed the interior himself in 1954, and absolutely nothing has been changed since then: the dark beautiful “Royal Boards” covering the walls, well used tables and chairs made of teak, a unique black stonefloor imported directly from Italy.

30.03.09

“ teal blue & wood ”, recently submitted to our photo group by ooh_food Arne Jacobsen designed the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and all of the furniture (including the silverware!). ... The chairs pictured here are "Drop" chairs (or Dråben, as Jacobsen would have said in Danish).

04.03.09

There is a high school north of Salt Lake City where I grew up that had similar exterior paneling in oranges and yellows. The showy façade could be seen from the highway and we mockingly called it Taco Time High, referencing a local Mexican joint with the same color scheme.

07.01.09

Amid some ill-considered carpets and drapes , the motel interiors pictured in Roadsidepictures’ glorious set of postcards do feature a few bright spots. To wit, clockwise from top left: Saarinen-esque table and chairs bring sophistication to an otherwise banal space; a daring color scheme contrasts warm wood paneling with cool blue; a homey, modern sitting area transforms a motel room into a living room; and simple wall-mounted lighting is a tasteful alternative to bulky bedside lamps.